WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) — The U.S. Navy on Saturday evening fired several Tomahawk cruise missiles at Libyan air defenses, U.S. media reported, and President Barack Obama is expected to make a statement soon.

NBC News, Fox News and CNN reported that the U.S. Navy had joined French forces in carrying out attacks on Libya, where Muammar Gaddafi has violently cracked down on anti-government protesters.

Few details about the U.S. attacks were immediately available, although there were reports of several loud explosions being heard east of Tripoli. Balls of fire could be seen on the horizon, media reports said.